Culture

From amazing architecture to galleries and theatres – Kaunas is truly full of culture. The city which has mostly preserved the national character of the country offers plenty of activities for everyone. Visit the hearth of Lithuania and experience its unique atmosphere. Visit the remarkable Old Town which is a collection of ancient architectural monuments: the remnants of the 14th century with remains of Kaunas castle, the buildings of the Middle Ages in the Gothic and the Art Déco styles.

Kaunas is also a UNESCO design city, which intends to make its rich legacy a stepping-stone to foster a modern, creative and inclusive city. A wide cultural offering is provided through the city’s 60 museums and galleries, as well as festivals and fairs such as the Kaunas Architecture Festival (KAFe), the Design Week and the Kaunas Biennial. As the architecture of buildings and streets retains the city’s cultural identity while emphasizing collective memory, the municipality has dedicated a large area of the old town to cultural and creative events.

International events

Kaunas is a home to a variety of festivals and events, including the famous Kaunas Jazz festival, Hanza days, Operetta, Pažaislis Classical Music festival, Bike show, Kaunas city days, Songs festival (listed by UNESCO), International Modern Dance Festival and much more. These events attract many people not only from Lithuania but from neighbouring countries as well.

Hanza Days

Kaunas Biennial

Song festival (UNESCO heritage)

European Capital of Culture

We are happy to announce that Kaunas has officially been designated the European Capital of Culture 2022. The official slogan for the city is: “KAUNAS 2022: FROM TEMPORARY TO CONTEMPORARY“. Kaunas of Lithuania seeks to become a changing force for a local community as well as for the communities with similar problems and issues all over Europe.

112

Cultural projects In Kaunas

169

Organizational and personal partners

1054

Community meetings

27

Ambassadors

5

Main directions

22

Partner cities

15

Team members

62

Partners & participants

3

Main CONs

Kaunas of Lithuania seeks to become a changing force for a local community as well as for the communities with similar problems and issues all over Europe. The concept of an artistic and overall community program is based on three CONs:

To become CONTEMPORARY we need to overcome CONfusion in our fragmented and censored history and mentality, to understand that we are a CONfluence not only of two biggest Lithuanian rivers, but of very different and sometimes conflicting people and ideas, and, finally, we have to create CONsciousness which can productively lead us to become a more successful community in Europe and for Europe.

By CONTEMPORARY, we mean being CONnected with the rest of Europe, to be in CONtext and to create a new CONtent for our city, our country and our Europe. Therefore, from now on, Kaunas is a place where everyone is invited to participate and contribute. Or KAUNtribute, as some may say… The artistic and community program is being launched right away. The revolutionary TEMPO ACADEMY has already having the first wave of graduates. The Tempo Academy is built on the basis of Kaunas – European Capital of Culture office. It is structured and designated to serve as an impact school with all the activities of an office being supplemented with lectures and classes for local culture community.

The Contemporary MYTH OF KAUNAS – a complex public relations project, aimed to create an attractive narrative for the city, is being initiated as a web page where everyone will have an opportunity to tell a story of The Beast of Kaunas by collaborative writing. Kaunas the European Capital of Culture 2022 starts now. KAUNect and stay in KAUNtact!